Page 18 - Delhi Pollution

Faecal contamination in Yamuna soars to 1,959x over safe limit in Sept

Despite improved dissolved oxygen levels from August rains, faecal pollution in the Yamuna surged to 4.9M units in September, 1,959 times the safe limit, marking the worst contamination since 2022

CAQM revisits study: Vehicles, dust, industries lead Delhi-NCR pollution

In Delhi, road dust and transportation are the primary sources of PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants, while industrial emissions dominate in the NCR region

Delhi govt sets up 24x7 'Green War Room' to curb winter pollution

The Delhi government has set up a 24x7 'Green War Room' to enhance the execution of its 21-point winter action plan aimed at curbing pollution in the national capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday. Addressing a press conference, Rai said that a team of eight environmental experts will manage the war room, which has been assigned seven key responsibilities. A new task assigned to the war room this year includes analysing drone mapping and conducting real-time source apportionment studies, Rai said. "The war room will also analyse satellite data of stubble burning, along with information from 13 pollution hotspots," said the minister. Additionally, it will monitor AQI (Air Quality Index) data and assess information from 24 pollution monitoring stations managed by the Delhi government, he said. Regarding the use of artificial rain to reduce pollution, Rai said that he would again seek approval from the central government, as his previous request had not received a ..

From drones to WFH, Delhi's 21-point winter action plan to tackle pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that drones will be used in the national capital to monitor and identify sources of air pollution

WFH, odd-even scheme and more: Delhi's 21-point ‘Winter Action Plan’ to tackle pollution

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government introduced a 21-pointer ' winter action plan' to tackle the city's recurring pollution during the winter season. Watch the video to know the details.

Delhi govt to give free bio-decomposer spray to combat stubble burning

Development Minister Gopal Rai has announced the Delhi government's initiative to provide free bio-decomposer spray across over 5,000 acres of farmland to reduce pollution and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Following a high-level meeting with the Agriculture Department and experts from the Pusa Agricultural Research Institute, Rai said the government is making every effort to ensure the timely and effective spraying of bio-decomposer. "So far, 841 farmers have signed up for the programme, and the numbers are expected to rise as awareness campaigns are carried out across farming communities," Rai said. "In our efforts to curb the seasonal rise in pollution due to stubble burning, the Kejriwal government is committed to providing free bio-decomposer spray as we did last year. This year, we will cover over 5,000 acres of farmland," the minister said. He added, "Stubble burning has been included as a key focus area in this year's Winter Action Plan. By spraying ...

Losing spark: Delhi's electric vehicle adoption to hit speed bump

The removal of road tax waiver in the city estimated to make such vehicles about 10% costlier for its residents

Artificial rain, WFH, odd-even: How Delhi is preparing for winter pollution

The 2024 Winter Action Plan focuses on tackling pollution hotspots, controlling vehicular emissions and dust, encouraging work-from-home policies, addressing stubble and waste burning, among others

DPCC prohibits idol immersion in Yamuna, water bodies ahead of festivals

The DPCC has prohibited the immersion of idols in the Yamuna and other water bodies and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on violators, ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Pooja celebrations. In an order issued by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on Wednesday, local civil bodies have been tasked with creating temporary immersion sites or artificial ponds near residential areas. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in 2019 and 2021 issued directives, prohibiting idol immersion in Ganga and its tributaries, specifying that violators will have to pay Rs 50,000 as environmental compensation. "The Delhi Police and municipal bodies will work together to enforce these guidelines and take action against illegal idol-making operations," the DPCC order stated. DPCC further directed the officials to monitor vehicles carrying prohibited idols. "Violators of the guidelines will face fines of up to Rs. 50,000, with continued non-compliance potentially resulting in penalties ran

Kailash Gahlot calls gig workers 'Pradushan Yodha', asks them to adopt EVs

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Monday called gig workers of food delivery companies as 'Pradushan Yodha' (warriors against pollution) as he spoke about the importance of electric vehicles. Addressing thousands of delivery partners, commonly known as 'gig workers', at an event organised by delivery companies Zomato and Blinkit at Talkatora Stadium, he called them the backbone of India's economy. "You are ensuring that millions of people can receive household essentials in minutes and enjoy meals from their favourite restaurants with just a click. Your dedication keeps our cities running smoothly. "Your commitment to your work and to protecting the environment is truly inspiring. The Kejriwal government is with you every step of the way. Together, let's make Delhi pollution-free by adopting electric vehicles (EVs)," he said. Gahlot emphasised the importance of transitioning to electric vehicles and said they are not just a technological change but also a crucial move to

Delhi records cleanest air quality for Jan-Aug in six years, AQI hits 53

Delhi recorded its best AQI for any day between January 1 and August 8 from 2018 to 2024, with a reading of 53 at 4 pm on Thursday

Delhi govt starts preparations to control air pollution during winters

On August 21, 'Save Environment' Round Table Conference will be organized with environmental experts at the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai stated

LG undid plans to make city pollution-free by ordering tree felling: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday alleged that Lt Governor V K Saxena scuttled the efforts of the Arvind Kejriwal government to make Delhi pollution-free by allowing the feeling of 1,100 trees in the Satbari ridge area without permission. There was no immediate reaction from LG office to the allegation. Addressing a press conference here, AAP chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said that in the last 10 years, the Aam Aadmi Party government has taken many long-term and short-term steps to control pollution in Delhi. "One such long-term measure is planting trees. The Delhi government has brought Delhi's green cover to a historic high in the last 10 years and Delhi's green cover is now about 24 per cent. "In the last four years, two crore trees have been planted in Delhi. As many as 17 city forests exist in Delhi and the Aam Aadmi Party government is creating six more forests in Delhi," she said. The AAP leader said that the Delhi government is developing "city forests" near the metro sta

7% of daily deaths in 10 Indian cities linked to PM2.5 pollution: Study

On average, 7.2 per cent of all daily deaths in 10 of the largest and most polluted cities in India, including Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, were linked to PM2.5 levels higher than World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for safe exposure, according to a study published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal. Delhi was found to have the largest fraction of daily and yearly deaths attributable to PM2.5 air pollution, caused by particles sized 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter. Sources of such pollution include vehicular and industrial emissions. Researchers said that daily exposure to PM2.5 pollution in Indian cities is linked with a higher risk of death, and locally created pollution could be possibly causing these deaths. The international team included researchers from Varanasi's Banaras Hindu University and the Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi. They found that an increase of 10 micrograms per cubic metre in the average of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) polluti

Maliwal assault case: Court sends Bibhav Kumar to 5-day police custody

A court here on Saturday sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar to five days in police custody in connection with the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal. The Delhi Police arrested Kumar earlier in the day and his anticipatory bail plea was subsequently observed as becoming "infructuous" by a Delhi court. Kumar was later produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal who sent him to five- day police custody. Police, through their counsel, had sought seven-day custody of Kumar to question him in connection with the assault case. It is alleged that Kumar, the personal assistant of Kejriwal, assaulted Maliwal at the CM's residence on May 13 morning. The detailed order of the court is awaited Police told the court that Kumar's custody was necessary for questioning him about reason of assault. They said Kumar did not provide the password of his mobile-phone to the investigating agency and had also informed that his phone had been forma

100,000 commuters fined for pollution certificate violations in Delhi

A total of 101,164 instances of Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) violations were recorded in the first four months of 2024, the Delhi Traffic Police said on Sunday. This is 30 per cent higher than the violations recorded last year, which stood at 78,169 challans, during the same period -- between January 1 and April 30, official data of the Delhi Traffic Police revealed. "We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the top ten traffic circles, including Model Town, Karol Bagh, Najafgarh, Dwarka, Punjabi Bagh and Tilak Nagar, among others, with the highest number of challans issued in 2024," a senior police officer of the Delhi Traffic Police said. The officer said the spike in the violation also highlights the persistent challenge of vehicular pollution in the city, which is notorious for its alarming levels of air pollution. "This detailed examination has pinpointed regions where such traffic violations occur most frequently. By identifying these areas, targeted ...

Botanical Garden gets 'best metro station' award on DMRC foundation day

The Botanical Garden metro station won the awards of best station while Shastri Park depot was titled as the best metro depot, a statement issued by the DMRC on Friday said. Over 70 employees of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) won annual Managing Director's awards in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the last one year, officials said. The DMRC on Friday celebrated its 30th foundation day at Bharat Mandapam here. "Priti Kumari, senior station manager, won the award of metro woman of the year', while metro man of the year' award went to Mohammad Abdussueb Ahamad, head traffic controller, the statement said. "Botanical Garden metro station won the awards of best metro station, while Shastri Park depot won the award of best metro depot. A special award for contribution to the use and promotion of Raj Bhasha was also given to Gopesh Kumar Verma, senior station manager," the statement stated. Vijendra Singh, assistant manager security, was among the recipients. Accor

Delhi witnesses sudden change in weather, wakes up to light rain

As per the IMD, no significant change in minimum temperatures is very likely over northwest India during the next three days and will fall by 3-5 degree Celsius thereafter

Locals complain of 'gas leak', eye irritation in parts of north, east Delhi

Panic gripped some parts of north and east Delhi when locals and commuters complained of eye irritation and suffocation on Saturday evening, officials said. Calls were made to the fire department about a "gas leak", but officials could not confirm finding any suspicious gas. Delhi Police said anti-riots mock drill exercise was conducted at Yamuna Khadar, which falls between some parts of east and north Delhi. An officer said it appeared that the smoke due to tear gas shell might have been behind the incident, but added that it was not yet verified. Sources said that Delhi Police has been preparing for a potential farmers agitation intended to be held on February 13. According to officials of Delhi Fire Service (DFS), a call of gas leak was received at 6.30 pm from near Geeta Colony flyover. Two fire tenders reached the spot and tried to locate the suspicious gas they could not find it. Farmer groups have announced a 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 13 to press the Centre for acce

440 demolition actions taken in Jan, set to intensify in coming days: MCD

Civic authorities took 440 demolition actions against illegal constructions in January, the MCD said on Tuesday. Besides, 85 sealing actions and 35 actions against illegal plotting were taken during the same period, officials said. In the last couple of months, there have been intermittent bans on construction and demolition activities due to GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) measures to curb pollution levels in the national capital, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said in a statement. "As soon as this phase was over, the MCD immediately swung into action by resuming its demolition and sealing actions against unauthorised constructions," it said. The actions have been conducted in line with the Master Plan - 2021, Unified Building Bye-Laws - 2016, and the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act - 1957, the officials said. The MCD steered the demolition and sealing actions, "majorly targeting illegal plotting or colonisation on agricultural land", it said. "In spite of GRAP-III